Meet Trish Haeusler.  She’s a good sort because she’s the founder of Plastic Free Launceston, a community group dedicated to ridding the city of single use plastics.

Plastic Free Launceston was started in early 2017 after identifying a need to respond to the growing concerns of plastic pollution. A Facebook page launched a community conversation and it quickly progressed into an active working group of TamarNRM.

The aim of Plastic Free Launceston is to promote practical ways to reduce single use and unnecessary plastics and to invite the community to increase their understanding of plastic pollution and share their own ideas to combat this problem.

The dedicated group has helped raise awareness and change behaviours towards plastic straws, shopping bags, balloons, coffee cups and a host of other one-off plastic wonders that we could all learn to live without.

Trish and the Plastic Free Launceston team regularly host workshops to sew cloth bags as sustainable alternatives to plastic, encourage businesses and individuals to get involved in Plastic Free July and The Last Straw campaigns and promote sustainable alternatives to plastic around the home, in workplaces and schools.

Find out more and follow their inspiring efforts at www.facebook.com/plasticfreelaunceston.

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They’re good sorts at Gaia’s Nest Childcare…not only have they halved their garbage waste by switching to compostable nappies, wipes, gloves and bin liners but they also encourage families to drop off compost at the centre if they don’t have access to a compost bin of their own.

Michelle Beakley is Director of Gaia’s Nest and she has been rethinking waste and identifying what they can recycle and reuse right across the centre.  They have developed a culture of conscious thinking towards zero waste.  Where possible they source pre-loved quality toys and games (too good to go to waste!) and avoid petroleum-based materials instead choosing lovingly home-made dolls, wooden toys and items left by nature.

They’re even starting to stock the pantry from wholefoods stores to avoid purchasing unnecessary packaging and they make their own hand soaps which they refill in to re-usable dispensers.

Families are encouraged to bring their children’s lunches in bento style lunch boxes to reduce packaging waste too.

Over the last 12 months they have saved over 23,000 nappies from going into landfill.

Located in Mornington, Gaia’s Nest is an inspiring setting for the Tassie waste warriors of tomorrow!

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Say ‘hi’ to the Southern Beaches Clean Up Group at Dodges Ferry. Their dedication to litter removal makes them truly good sorts!

For more than ten years, the volunteers have been meeting for a monthly collection of roadside rubbish along Old Forcett and Lewisham Roads.

The group began because they were inspired by two people, Judy and Genevieve, who had been picking up rubbish when out for walks for at least four years before them. They have kept it up because unfortunately litter from vehicles remains a problem in the area (as in other parts of Tasmania too).

Once the recyclables and rubbish have been picked up by the volunteers, it is collected by Council for safe disposal.

The group is part of Southern Beaches Landcare Coastcare and volunteers are welcome to join the clean ups at any time: simply email [email protected] or Lorraine at [email protected] or phone Sorell Council on 6269 0000.

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